By Paris Tsirigotis

 

 

The significant increase in container handling in the last month of 2022 from the port of Piraeus managed to limit losses on an annual basis, affected by the slowdown in the global economy.

 

According to "Naftemporiki" data, a total of 5 million TEUs were handled from all three piers of the port of Piraeus I, II, III in 2022 compared to 5.137 million TEUs in 2021. Market players estimate that trade in many countries continues to be affected, due to a reduction in purchasing power and a disruption in the supply and demand ratio.

 

In the meantime Cosco Shipping Ports has released traffic figures for PCT Piers II and III. In particular, in December 2022, a total of 382.3 thousand containers were handled from piers II and III of the Piraeus Container Station compared to 305.5 thousand in the same month of 2021, an increase of 25.2%.

 

On a twelve-month basis, SEP handled a total of 4.352 million containers in 2022 compared to 4.696 million in 2021, a drop of 7.3%.

 

In November 2022, a total of 359.8 thousand containers were handled from the two piers of the Piraeus Container Station (PCT), compared to 365.5 thousand in the same month of 2021, i.e. a drop of 1.6% was recorded.

 

In February 2022, 349.3 thousand containers were handled from the two piers of the Piraeus Container Station, in March 362 thousand, in April 296.6 thousand, in May 391.7 thousand, in June 357.6 thousand, in July 391.5 thousand, in August 373.1 thousand, in September 366.4 thousand and in October 355 thousand containers.

 

It is noted that the port of Piraeus remains in fifth place among Europe's leading ports, based on container traffic, despite the drop in cargo recorded in most European ports this year.

 

Chinese investments

 

The Chinese shipping giant Cosco Shipping Holdings is moving forward with an agreement to acquire a 5.8% stake in the logistics company Cofco Fortune for $814 million.

 

The deal will allow Cosco Shipping Holdings and Cofco Fortune to explore activities involving resources such as container yards, warehouses and terminals.

 

Cosco Shipping Holdings has a fleet of 174 ships, with another 44 on order. The company specializes in giant container ships of up to 24,000 teu, and also has general cargo and multi-purpose vessels.

 

At the same time, Hamburger Hafen Und Logistik (HHLA) and COSCO Shipping Ports Limited (CSPL) are said to be close to finalizing the agreement to invest in Hamburg's Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT).

 

According to an announcement by the German port (HHLA), the completion of negotiations for the acquisition of 24.9% of the Hamburg terminal is expected, giving the Chinese group a strong presence in one of Europe's five largest ports, which is in third place in terms of container handling. The Chinese group also has minority stakes in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Valencia.